Almost everyday, it seems, there’s a new story about how “Millennials are leaving the church.” But there’s a problem with these trend pieces: They aren’t true. American Christianity still has plenty of Millennials — they’re just not necessarily in white churches. Continue reading
Tag Archives: leaving faith
Why I Stuck with the Church – The Millennial Exodus
The Millennial Exodus is a term that I use to mark articles dealing with the declining rate of Millennials who attend the church in the United States. EA Resources is committed to provide resources to churches and parents who want to encourage Millennials in their spiritual development.
As part of our mission, we purchase written/video work of Millennials who express their stories about “Why I left the Church” or “Why I Stuck with the Church.” If you would like to submit your work for purchase, please contact me gdavid@earesources.org.
Here is the story of a Millennial, and why she has stuck with the church.
I have experienced hypocrisy within the church. It was anything, but fun. In spite of its faults, I have chosen to continue with the church. The church has many areas of improvement to focus on, but I must remember that it is an institution. All institutions are ran by imperfect people are therefore – imperfect. The main reason I stuck with the church lies mostly in my choice to stick with my faith. Although I was supported in my faith by various people throughout my life, I made my faith my own.
I was never forced to go to church. I didn’t grow up with a Christian father, and my mother didn’t truly give her life to Christ until I was in high school. Although surrounded by small group leaders and mentors, my belief in God was never based on anyone else’s faith. It was always mine. However, I know that many other young adults struggle to separate their faith from their parents. They wonder if they would still hold to Christianity if they had been raised in a home that taught a different religion.
My plea to the Church. If you want us to stay… Love us.
As Millennials, we will not be forced into Christianity, or scared there by a fear of hell. These methods do not display Christ’s grace and love. I beg you – connect with us! The Bible teaches that the gathering of Christians is vital for a strong faith. We need to see why you believe in God. We need to see your passion.
Give us a reason to see past the imperfections of the church.
Let us see the heart of the church.
I’m Junior at Bethel University studying Environmental Science in hopes of doing Environmental Restoration with missions. I love the outdoors, being Minnesotan, and everything about camp– including flannels, chacos, and sharing the gospel. I have my own blog on wordpress if you want to read more by me– amandanoellebabcockblog.wordpress.com
The No. 1 Reason Teens Keeps the Faith as Young Adults
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This article was just released by the Huffington Post, and I thought that it would be an encouragement for parents of children, teens, or emerging adults.
The article is based on research by Christian Smith and the National Study for Youth and Religion. My favorite quote in the article by Christian Smith, “No other conceivable causal influence … comes remotely close to matching the influence of parents on the religious faith and practices of youth. Parents just dominate.”
So go read the article, and then go DOMINATE your kids by speaking, teaching, and living your faith within your home and your relationships with them.
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources. If he can encourage the parents in your community, please contact him at gdavid@earesources.org.
After they have gone…
I grew up going to church every Sunday with my family. As the youngest of four boys, we drove each Sunday to church in a little Chevet Diesel. It was a little tight at times, and let’s just say that we didn’t always wear our seatbelts. Continue reading
Needing to know, “Why they left their faith?”
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If you believe the statistics, most students who attended church as children leave their faith during the early adulthood years. Parents whose children turn away from the faith, often wonder why the child who once did everything at church – youth group, Sunday School, VBS, and even went on a mission trip, could just simply walk away? Continue reading